July 2019
 









 
Upcoming 
Industry Events

Deutsche Bahn of Germany
Seeks U.S. Rail Suppliers Webinar 
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
10:00 am CST / 11:00 am

AARS 123rd Annual Meeting
July 22-July 24, 2019 
Norfolk VA
supt.org/event-3097339

Pacific Northwest Association of Rail Shippers Fall Meeting 
September 18-19, 2019
pnrailshippers.com/event/2019-pnwars-annual-meeting/

Railway Interchange 2019
September 22-25, 2019
Minneapolis, MN 

North East Association of Rail Shippers Fall Conference 
October 1-3, 2019

RailTrends 2019 
November 21-22, 2019
New York, NY
railtrends.com


REMSA 
Welcomes New Members:



mowequipment.com


qualitytrainingsystems.com


robel.us


schaefferoil.com


t remcoinfrastructure.com


phantomhighspeed.com


In This Issue:

Washington Update:
House Committee Votes for 3-Year Short Line Tax Credit Extension, House Restricts LNG by Rail, and Congress Nears Ban on Chinese Rail Cars

REMSA Member-of the- Month Spotlight

LRW Accepting Nominations for Railway Woman of the Year Award

REMSA Gets Social! Find us on Instagram at: remsa_rail

REMSA Grassroots Program
 
 
Industry News
  

Sound Transit to Update Signage with Real-Time Digital Information

Genesee & Wyoming to be Acquired in a $8.4 Billion Dollar Deal





Member News

Birmingham Rail & Locomotive (BR&L) Names Jimmy May Director of Operations for Locomotive Division

Century Group Hiring Industrial Sales Representative

Earth Wall Products Introduces the Trinity Lever

Miner Enterprises Inc. to Supply Outlet Gates and Hatch Covers for 3,800 Grain Hopper Cars

 

RailwayInterchange2019
Railway Interchange 2019 
September 22-25 in Minneapolis, MN
Housing & Registration Open & Exhibit Space Filling up 





Railway Interchange 2019 , North America's largest railway exhibition and technical conference, will be back in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA September 22-25.

Here's why you should register NOW:
  • Experience invaluable opportunities for networking and collaboration with nearly 9,000 rail industry professionals from around the globe
  • Technical sessions at the AREMA 2019 Annual Conference focus on increasing your knowledge, technical expertise and networking and provide a forum for exchanging ideas. You can earn up to 12.5 professional development hours.
  • Learn about the latest technology, products, services and research from 600+ exhibitors at both indoor and outdoor exhibits.
  • Save $75 if you register before August 15, 2019.
  • Class I and short line railroad employees and government employees are eligible for complimentary Expo passes.
With vital educational workshops and seminars, state of the art products, services and technology on view in the indoor and outdoor exhibition, as well as networking opportunities throughout  Railway Interchange  is THE place to meet railway industry representatives from around the world.

 
 





Any questions related to the exhibition can be directed to Urszula Soucie at (202) 715-2921 or soucie@remsa.org
.  

WashingtonUpdateWashington Update
House Committee Votes for 3-Year Short Line Tax Credit Extension, House Restricts LNG by Rail, and 
Congress Nears Ban on Chinese Rail Cars

As the August recess quickly approaches, lawmakers in Congress are working furiously on a host of budget and spending deals before leaving town for a month-long break. On June 20, the House Ways & Means Committee advanced tax legislation that included a 3-year extension of the short line tax credit, covering 2018 through 2020. The bill also included dozens of popular tax breaks for such things as biodiesel and wind energy, the craft beer industry, and low-income families. Since all tax bills are constitutionally required to originate in the House, leaders from the tax writing committees are now in the negotiating stages to find pay-fors that will fund the tax breaks. The Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act, which would make the tax credit permanent, currently has 241 cosponsors in the House and 54 in the Senate.
 
On June 25, the House passed an FY 2020 transportation appropriations bill with an amendment banning the transportation of liquified natural gas (LNG). The amendment, which was championed by House Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon), is opposed by several key Senate appropriators who have yet to release their transportation spending bill. The House's ban on transporting LNG by rail will eventually be considered when the House and Senate go to conference to hash out any differences in their respective spending bills.
 
In the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the House and Senate both passed provisions banning federal transit dollars from being spent on Chinese railcars. Economic and cybersecurity concerns prompted both chambers of Congress to take measures curtailing the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) from spreading further into the American rail market. The CRRC, which systematically underbids American competitors, has notably won contracts to build rail cars for Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.
 
On July 10, the Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee unanimously approved the nomination of Michelle Schultz to the Surface Transportation Board (STB). The next step is for the full Senate to vote on Schultz, a Republican deputy general counsel at Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), but that will have to wait until President Trump announces a Democratic nominee to pair with her.

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If you are interested in learning more about REMSA's government affairs efforts, please reach out to Jacob Carter at  carter@remsa.org .

REMSAspotlight
REMSA Member Spotlight 
Lisa Tackach (RCC Fabricators, Inc.)

 

How did you get started in the rail industry? 

Right place, right time. A few months post college graduation, the opportunity to interview with the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) was presented to me by my oldest childhood friend who had recently started working at the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).

Knowing nothing about engineering or rail, I took a chance and 12 years later, I am still here!

While I no longer work for AREMA, my career in rail continues. After getting married and relocating to New Jersey in March 2014, I began working for Railroad Construction Company, Inc. (RCC) in Paterson, NJ. The company was established in 1926 to provide track maintenance services and has since developed into a major general contractor. RCC has the advantage of working closely with a network of companies, each of its own entity that offer a wealth of knowledge and variety of services, including RCC Fabricators, Inc., a large scale structural steel fabricator and erector and designer/manufacturer of custom rail equipment. You may have seen our signature piece, the Tie Masterโ„ข also known as "Little Red", an affordable, American-made, single-operator tie changer. Designed, developed and manufactured in our Southampton, NJ facility, the Tie Masterโ„ข Fleet incudes the Gen III (developed specifically for concrete ties) and XL versions. Its compact size gives Tie Masterโ„ข unmatched probability: it can be picked up and moved with equipment the size of a backhoe and loaded onto a truck or trailer for transport. Each Tie Masterโ„ข is available to custom order and comes with an optional towing packing, making transport even easier.

 What do you love most about your job/the rail industry? 

What I love most about the industry is, undoubtedly, the people and their admiration for rail.

What I love most about my job is the variety in day-to-day operations. One day I will be in business attire, networking at a meeting and the next, I am in PPE, receiving a safety briefing before heading to a job site.

To be physically present at East Side Access and witness the work performed by our crews in the busiest interlocking in the country, is truly remarkable.

As a self-proclaimed, non-technical industry professional, having field experience is essential to my continued growth and educational development. To visualize the construction of a railroad, see the specialized track equipment at work and feel the power of the trains fly by, not only do I better understand the process, I have an inconceivable amount of respect for the work and people who make it happen.

All of this provides more perspective to what our industry is about and in turn, makes me better at my job, building relationships and connecting with people to better serve the industry as a whole.

The progression of my career is also kind of ironic. I started working for the engineers who write the recommended practices for the industry and now I see AREMA publications being used regularly, having referenced the Manual for Railway Engineering myself while working on an RFP.

How do you define the "future" of rail? Where do you think the industry is headed? 

I still consider myself an amateur in the industry, however given the demand on railroad infrastructure, whether it be repairs to existing rail or investing in new construction to improve reliability and resiliency, there is a lot of pivotal work to be done. I truly believe this is an industry of change and progression, two attributes crucial to its continued success.

For example, over the last 12 years, I have seen the industry evolve significantly. From the implementation of PTC and technology as a whole, to a more diverse culture in gender, age and ethnicity. With the help of REMSA, League of Railway Women (LRW), AREMA,National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association Inc (NRC) and other associations who recognize students with scholarships in rail related studies, to contractors who provide internships like RCC (we have 12 summer interns), I expect the industry will continue to diversify and attract the next generation.

Among many other influences, the people and their all-encompassing passion for rail is what will keep the industry alive and thriving. As long as seasoned railroaders continue to bring awareness to the overwhelming amount of opportunity, the future of rail is promising.

What is it like being a woman in a primarily male dominated industry? 

The rail industry is primarily dominated by men? I hadn't noticed.

All joking aside, as I mentioned above, the industry, well-established and traditional, has come a long way. To acknowledge the need for change and then accept and make it happen are huge accomplishments and I applaud those, both men and women, who are working tirelessly to make it happen in all facets, gender, age and ethnicity.

What do you find yourself doing most in your downtime? Hobbies outside of work? 
 
Ideally, "downtime" would be spent with a glass wine and a crossword puzzle, in a location with no cell phone service.

Realistically, cleaning and laundry. With two children (Nora 3 and Douglas 9 months), a 15 year old dog and husband, my job continues long after the close of business. I may switch hats from Business Development at RCC to mommy at home, but work never really ends.

Not to be mistaken as a complaint. I love my family, I love my career and I love a clean home. My husband, Doug, and I have worked hard to give our family a beautiful life. I am proud of what we have and I enjoy sharing it with friends and family.

Since becoming a mom, I have learned to treasure the few times everything goes as planned and appreciate any and all help. Doug and I are incredibly blessed to have the support of our families. We are both passionate about our careers and enjoy working. Doug is a full-time fire inspector, part-time fire instructor at the fire academy and volunteer fire fighter for the local fire company. I am proud of him and his dedication to serve the community, an attribute I hope both of our children inherit.

Anything else you would like to add/share? 

With AREMA being the foundation of my career, I have seen firsthand the benefit of joining likeminded individuals to help support, advance and grow an industry. In 2017 I personally experienced the value and comradery of an association when I joined the LRW. Later that year I was elected to serve on the LRW Board in the position of Awards Chair. The encouragement and positivity shared amongst the board members is invaluable.

Additionally, this year LRW established the "Railway Woman of the Year Advisory Committee", a committee comprised of previous Railway Woman of the Year recipients who have agreed to lend their industry insight and leadership expertise to assist in selecting the next Railway Woman of the Year Award recipient (nominations are currently being accepted. Check out www.railwaywomen.org for details). Each of the committee members is extraordinary in her own right and I know it is a true privilege to have their guidance and input.

Lastly, I am fortunate to work for a company that encourages and supports giving back, not only within the industry but also in our local community. RCC is involved in several charities, providing opportunities for co-workers to participate and give back to organizations including Paterson Habitat for Humanity, Boys & Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic, Eva's Village, Oasis a Haven for Women and Children and several animal rescue groups.

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Interested in being highlighted in the REMSA spotlight? Apply to become Member-of-Month. 

Contact Madeleine Stern, Membership & Marketing Manager to apply today at:  stern@remsa.org or (202) 715-2919.


 
LRWLRW Accepting Nominations for Railway Woman of the Year Award
 

   
The League of Railway Women  (LRW) has opened nominations for its 2019 Railway Woman of the Year Award, which is co-sponsored by Progressive Railroading.   

Nomination criteria and the online nomination form  are available on the LRW website . Nominations will be open until August 16.

Corina Moore , President and Chief Executive Officer of Ontario Northland and the 2018 Railway Woman of the Year said, "The award is a great way to showcase the opportunities that exist for women leaders in the industry, and I am proud to have been a recipient. This important organization and award recognize and support the growth of women in rail, advancing the impact and strength of women in the workplace."

Source credited to: Progressive Railroading

InstagramREMSA Gets Social! Find us on Instagram at: remsa_rail 

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Contact Madeleine Stern, Membership & Marketing Manager, with questions at: stern@remsa.org or (202) 715-2919.

Grassroots
REMSA Grassroots Program
Interested in Hosting a Grassroots Event in 2019?
   
The 116th Congress has more than 100 new members in the House of Representatives and 10 new Senators, making 2019 a terrific opportunity to host a REMSA grassroots event at your company.
 
REMSA's Grassroots Program connects our association's membership with members of Congress to host tours and site visits of company facilities and ongoing projects.  It's a terrific way to showcase the positive impact that your company has in the local community, while also building strong personal relationships with your elected representatives.  We will also take the initiative to engage with local and regional media outlets to highlight your company and maximize the visibility of the great work that you are doing.  

Are you interested in growing your network and highlighting your products and services to the rail industry? 

Please contact Jacob Carter at  carter@remsa.org  or (202) 715-2917 to get started.

IndustryNEWSIndustry News
The awards were presented at APTA's annual rail conference, which was held the week of June 23 in Toronto, Canada. An APTA press release stated: The awards recognize public transportation organizations for "innovative and proactive" safety and security programs. Winning agencies provide value to the industry by benchmarking successful programs so that other transit systems can adopt them. (Progressive Railroading)

All link light-rail stations will begin using digital signs, displaying real-time arrival information for riders. The system is expected to roll out in 2023 and will " improve accuracy, timeliness and readability." (RT&S)
 
GWGenesee & Wyoming to be Acquired in a $8.4 Billion Dollar Deal
Brookfield Infrastructure, GIC and Brookfield's institutional partners have agreed to acquire short line group Genesee & Wyoming Inc. "We believe this transaction is an excellent outcome for all G&W stakeholders. For our current stockholders, the sale price realises significant value and represents a 39ยท5% premium to our March 8 share price. And for long-term investors who have owned our shares for the past two decades, the sale price represents a return of more than 5 400%," said G&W Chairman & CEO Jack Hellmann. (Railway Gazette) 

THUD United States House Approves Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Bill
American Public Transportation Association (APTA) President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Skoutelas said in a statement: "APTA, along with coalition partners throughout the infrastructure sphere, have emphatically told lawmakers that now is the time to invest more - not less - in our nation's public transportation infrastructure to help our communities provide critical public transit services...we encourage the Senate and President Trump to quickly move this legislation forward to ensure continued and uninterrupted support for our public transportation and passenger rail infrastructure." (Progressive Railroading) 

NorfolkNorfolk Southern Corporation Honors Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad as "Short Line of the Year" 
 "Our partnership with the Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad has resulted in significant growth across multiple commodities and service improvements for both manifest and unit trains. Their cooperation and efforts have contributed to a more efficient interchange and an improved service offering for our mutual customers," said Mike Moen, Norfolk Southern Senior Short-Line Development Manager. This is the second time this year that the Delaware-Lackawanna has been recognized for freight-rail service. In April, the railroad received the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association's "Business Development Award" for 2019. (Progressive Railroading)

OLI Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) Awards Rail Safety Grant Funding to 10 Transit Agencies
OLI awards 10 grants to rail agencies in eight states to increase rail safety awareness and fund safety education projects around the country, including: Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), Hampton Roads Transit, Metro Transit, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO), MTA Metro-North Railroad,Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink), SunRail and Trinity Metro. (Operation Lifesaver) 

AlaskaAlaska Railroad Corporation Signs Agreement to Project Plan for Development of Link to North American Rail Network
Alaska Railroad has signed a master agreement with Alaska to Alberta Development Corporation (A2A Rail) to cooperate on the development of a $US 13bn project to connect the state to the North American railway network. "A rail connection between Alaska and Canada and the rest of the United States is a project that has been talked and dreamed about for close to a century," says Alaska Railroad president and CEO Mr Bill O'Leary. (International Railway Journal) 


MemberNewsBottomMember News

Birmingham1 Birmingham Rail & Locomotive (BR&L) Names Jimmy May Director of Operations for Locomotive Division
May joined BR&L - a division of A. Stucki Co - from CSX, where he worked as a mechanical manager. With the appointment, the company expects to grows its preventive and routine maintenance, light and heavy engine repairs, electrical troubleshooting and other locomotive services, BR&L officials said in a press release. (Progressive Railroading) 

Century Century Group Hiring Industrial Sales Representative
Century Group has an immediate opening for an Industrial Sales Representative for their Gulf Coast Region. Candidate would handle sales for precast concrete products, precast concrete railroad crossings and environmental spill collection systems to railroad contractors and industries with railroad loading and unloading facilities. Must be willing to travel four (4) nights a week. Base salary plus commissions, insurance, matching 401K, company vehicle and paid vacation. Five (5) years of railroad sales background preferred. Interested candidates can email their resume to railroad@centurygrp.com . (Century Group)

Trinity Earth Wall Products Introduces the Trinity Lever 
The new lever will feature: Performance of a conventional 12" deep block with 2/3 the weight, patent-pending rear lever captures backfill weight to add stability for design and construction, pinless system, flat base for quick leveling, vertically aligned cores allow for easy stone filling and rear hand holds for lifting. (Earth Wall Products) 
Miner Enterprises Inc. will supply outlet gates and hatch covers for 3,800 new high-capacity grain hopper cars ordered by Canadian Pacific and CN. The new cars - 2,800 for CP and 1,000 for CN - are being built by National Steel Car Ltd., Miner officials said in a press release. (Progressive Railroading) 

OT O maha Track's Lisa Roberts Named North American Railway Maintenance Railway Club Supplier of the Year
NARMC recognizes Lisa's commitment to strengthening relationships between industry partners. (Progressive Railroading)